Napoli captain, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, recently spoke to *Radio CRC*, an official partner broadcaster of SSC Napoli, in an exclusive interview. Following the recent home victory against Torino, the Azzurri defender shared his thoughts on ambitions, dreams, and objectives for the team under the new coach, Antonio Conte.
Reflecting on his time at the club, Di Lorenzo stated: “Six years have already passed in Naples. I feel good here with my family, and genuinely everything has happened during this time. Two years ago, we won the Scudetto, and I never would have imagined being captain like Maradona. Every day I strive to earn it and represent the club and the team as best as I can.”
Discussing his relationship with coach Conte, the captain noted: “As captain, I am the closest to the coach; I relay his messages to the squad. From the very first day, there has been a direct, sincere, and loyal connection. Sincerity is the bedrock: Conte is a formidable coach; I already knew his qualities from facing him as an opponent, and he has confirmed them in these past months. We are pleased to have him with us.”
When asked about the core strength of this Napoli team, Di Lorenzo emphasized: “The group. Behind every major victory and every great team is a solid group. When you genuinely care about each other, you handle everything better. Difficulties will inevitably arise, but what truly matters is how we react. If the group is sound, overcoming obstacles becomes simpler.”
Addressing whether the Scudetto is a topic of discussion within the dressing room, Di Lorenzo confirmed: “Yes, we are at a pivotal stage. Initially, it seemed unattainable, but now we are right there: it`s tough, but we are competing for it. Everything is within our grasp. We`ve reached this position through hard work and sacrifice, and we`re contesting it. It will be challenging, and frankly, up to this point, we haven`t actually accomplished anything yet.”
Regarding when they realized they could contend for the title, he added: “There wasn`t one specific moment. We built this journey match by match. Now, we need the final push: the group is united and believes in the objective. When you`ve been at the top for an extended period, it`s never by mere coincidence.”
Speaking on his future after his playing career, Di Lorenzo said: “I still see it as distant, but we are settled and happy here. My daughters were born in Naples, I own a house here, and I feel deeply connected to this city. The mural? It`s moving to see it; it will remain forever.”